killjoy
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of killjoy
First recorded in 1770–80
Explanation
A killjoy is a person who spoils all the fun for everybody. You may be a killjoy if everyone’s enjoying their meal at a restaurant and you complain constantly about the terrible service. The first instance of the word killjoy was recorded in 1776, and its meaning kind of makes sense: a killjoy kills everyone else's joy. There are some other great old-style slang phrases to describe the person who pops your balloon or rains on your parade. The most popular among them are "party pooper," "wet blanket," and "stick in the mud."
Vocabulary lists containing killjoy
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Clean Getaway
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The question haunts Juicy as he tries to turn his pout into a smile for the guests and not be the killjoy his stepfather accuses him of being.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
But in truth, on any one day, in any one place, the weather could be your friend or a killjoy - and that applies to Carbondale, too.
From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2024
I don’t want to come off as a killjoy or someone too sensitive for this world, but I’ve got another birthday coming up and am tired of feeling like I’m back in junior high school.
From New York Times ● Apr. 2, 2023
“It’s not especially that I wanted to be a killjoy, although that comes into it as well,” he adds, smiling.
From Scientific American ● Nov. 23, 2022
Sheed, always a killjoy, said, “You’re not from Logan County.”
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
